The Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Presidents: An authoritative history of the American Presidency, their lives and context shown in over 500 illustrations

This unparalleled, fully updated reference book is a detailed guide to the 47 personages to have held the highest-ranking political office in the United States government.The book opens with a brief history of the events that led to the Thirteen Colonies declaring independence from Britain.It recounts the details of how a new union of states was forged and a system of government established in which the head of state would be checked and balanced by the Houses of Congress and the Supreme Court. As ceremonial head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the office of president is one of the most powerful and influential in the world.Beginning with George Washington, the author provides a factual analysis of each of the men who have held high office, and how each has shaped the presidency and been defined by the role.Many have become synonymous with major events of world history, for example, Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War, Teddy Roosevelt and the bui